LVS Oxford Shout Out by LVS_Schools

LVS OXFORD SHOUTOUT OCTOBER

Dear All,

I would like to extend my thanks to all the parents who will be visiting the school over the coming months to deliver career talks to our students. These sessions provide invaluable insight and inspiration as our young people begin thinking about their own futures. Today, we are delighted to welcome Jo Novell, and our students are very excited to learn more about her career journey. We look forward to sharing photos from the event in our next issue. As part of our Work Experience Program, we’re excited to announce that Balfour Beatty will be joining us next term to run interactive workshops for our students. This is a fantastic opportunity for those interested in engineering, construction, and project management to learn more about careers in these fields from industry professionals.

I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the parents who have generously volunteered their time to support our Autism support Hub, In February, we’ll be welcoming a range of

professionals into school to offer parents advice, guidance, and signposting around provision and EHCP support. The Hub aims to provide a supportive network for families who are still navigating their journey towards finding the best possible provision for their child.

We have had an extremely busy and productive term, and everyone is certainly ready for a wellearned half-term break!

Wishing everyone a relaxing and enjoyable half-term break!

Regards

Mel

Each week, students are introduced to a new “Word of the Week” during their tutor group sessions. They discuss its meaning, share their own interpretations, and provide examples of how the word can be used in context.

Students are thoroughly enjoying their work experience placements at Blenheim Palace, where they are gaining valuable practical and interpersonal skills. Their roles involve regular interaction with visitors, including providing directions to exhibitions, assisting with ticket scanning, and offering general visitor support.

An important part of their duties is to help maintain the safety and presentation of the Palace grounds, ensuring that all areas remain clean, tidy, and welcoming for guests. Through this experience, students are developing a strong sense of responsibility, teamwork, and confidence when engaging with members of the public in a prestigious and busy visitor attraction.

Blewbury Riding Centre - Billy Streeter

Billy is thoroughly enjoying his work experience placement at Blewbury Riding Centre, where he has made a fantastic impression. The team are really pleased with him and have even asked how long they can keep him for!

He’s learning a great deal and has told the staff that he hopes to become a Groom in the future, so they’re taking the time to teach him how to do things properly. He’s also developing excellent communication and social skills chatting with different members of staff, greeting everyone with a cheerful “good morning,” and ensuring he arrives early so he’s ready to start on time.

These are all wonderful life lessons that will serve him well in any future workplace

Alice's work experience placement is at Grendon Underwood School a placement that Alice and her mum secured. During her time there, Alice has had the opportunity to explore “the day-today life in a primary school classroom".

Jess Cort, the Reception Class teacher, has been impressed with Alice's enthusiasm, professionalism, and willingness to learn. Alice has amazing abilities interacting with the children, and Jess says she is a welcome addition to the team

Well done, Alice, for representing our school so well and making the most of this valuable opportunity!

9Y MICROSCOPY PRACTICAL SESSION

The aim of this practical is to prepare, stain, and observe onion cells under a light microscope. A thin peel of onion epidermis is placed on a slide, stained with iodine solution to make the cell parts more visible, and covered with a cover slip. When viewed under the microscope, the cells appear rectangular with clearly visible cell walls, cytoplasm, nucleus, and a large vacuole. This experiment helps in studying the basic structure of plant cells and understanding their distinct features.

Year 7 Reach for the Stars!

Last week, our Year 7 students blasted off into Space Week with an out-of-this-world experience! They took part in “I’m a Scientist, Get Me Out of Here,” an online event where they got to chat live with real space scientists.

Students asked amazing questions about life beyond Earth, what it’s like to work in space science, and how rockets, planets, and stars are studied. The scientists shared fascinating stories about their work and gave plenty of inspiration for budding astronauts, engineers, and explorers of the future!

It was a truly stellar experience that left our Year 7s excited about the possibilities of space and science the sky’s not the limit when curiosity takes you further

7x Learning about animal and plant cells

4 - Jason & Marlowe plant cel

5 - Isha plant cell

6 - Isha animal cell

Year 10 Geography

Year 10 Geography – Exploring Tectonic Hazards

This term, our Year 10 Geography students have been studying tectonic hazards. At the end of each topic, we review key concepts using the OCR Geography B specification. Students are shown how to annotate each section of the specification to check their understanding and identify areas for improvement.

7 - Bihaan animal cell

8 - Abigail plant cell

9 - Abigail animal cell

It’s always great to see the students gathered around tables, pens in hand, enthusiastically discussing what they’ve learned and reflecting on their strengths and weaknesses. Visualising their learning in this way really helps them consolidate their knowledge and build confidence. Well done to all our Year 10 Geographers and best of luck in their first in-class exam!

Joe

Abingdon & Witney College Visit

Year 11 Explore Life at Abingdon & Witney College!

On Tuesday 7th October, our Year 11 students spent the day at Abingdon & Witney College –Abingdon Campus to get a taste of what college life is really like.

Students enjoyed exploring the campus, meeting tutors, and discovering the amazing range of courses on offer from Engineering and Motor Vehicle Maintenance to Healthcare, Art & Design, Carpentry, and Sport. It was a great chance for everyone to see the college in action and start thinking about their next steps after GCSEs.

The visit was packed with inspiration, hands-on experiences, and plenty of ideas for the future — a fantastic day all round!

• Planned College Visits:

• BCA - 22nd October

• Banbury & Bicester College - 3rd December

• City of Oxford College - 15th December

I am hoping to arrange some college visits in the summer term for students in year 9

Therapy Team - Nurturing Activities

As part of our new initiative, we have introduced a Nurture Group for selected Year 8 and 9 students, giving them the opportunity to take part in a series of enrichment trips designed to build confidence and independence.

Their first trip took place on Tuesday 7th October, where students learned how to use public transport and navigate around Oxford city centre. They visited the Pitt Rivers Museum before enjoying some time at University Parks.

The aim of these outings is to help students develop life skills in new and unfamiliar settings — and this first trip was a great success! All students showed fantastic independence and enthusiasm, and we’re very much looking forward to their next adventure next week.

Time to Reset: Library Club for Breaks and Lunchtimes

Our Library Club operates every break and lunchtime, providing students with a calm and friendly space to relax, recharge, and reset during the school day. Students can enjoy a range of puzzles, games, and drawing activities, providing opportunities for creativity, problem-solving, and gentle social interaction. The club is designed to help pupils decompress between lessons, supporting self-regulation, focus, and readiness to learn. Beyond relaxation, the club encourages connection and teamwork, helping students build friendships and develop social confidence through shared, enjoyable activities. While all Lower School students are welcome to join, priority is given to Year 7 pupils as they settle into new routines and grow in confidence within the school community. The Library Club continues to be a valued part of our approach to promoting wellbeing, inclusion, and positive relationships throughout the school day.

Horticulture

News - Autumn in the School Garden

Our students have been busy getting the school garden ready for autumn planting! Over the past few weeks, they have harvested the fruit and vegetables that flourished over the summer and begun preparing the beds for new seasonal crops.

Year 8 have impressed us with their creativity and teamwork, producing a fantastic and informative “earthworm” display for the garden classroom, helping everyone learn more about the important role worms play in keeping our soil healthy.

Meanwhile, Year 7 have been focusing on risk awareness and safe tool use, gaining confidence and practical skills as they take part in hands-on gardening activities.

And a shout-out to George 8X for his brilliant work with the pumpkins they’ve been a real highlight of our harvest this year!

It’s been wonderful to see students working together, learning about nature, and taking pride in caring for their environment.

College Open Events/News

12 - CLICK HERE TO BOOK

18 - CLICK HERE TO BOOK

19 - CLICK HERE TO BOOK FOR BUCKINGHAMSHIRE COLLEGE CAMPUSES

Year 7Y Poetry

Space walk by Elsie 7Y

The stars are diamonds scattered on a black velvet ceiling

Planets spin like cogs around the Milky Way

Whilst the moon is a silver glistening friend to the earth

Stars shoot like bullets across the sky high above,

A million stars a jewelled dust;

The moon is a silver orb guiding dreamers through the night

A silent expanse of black life

Past the moons dusty atmosphere, the universe stretches forever a silent ocean without an end .

Elsie 7Y

Space Poems By Florence 7Y

SPACE TRAVEL

The moon shines bright and bold

It looks as if I could touch

In my mind the countdown starts

One we are off into a new world

I see a sparkly ocean of stars

Past my home my life and my family

Off I go in this new unknown world

Outside the window I see stars scattered like sugar

MIDNIGHT MOON

Midnight moon so bright and bold

Midnight moon so old so cold

Midnight moon so loud so gray

Midnight moon so boring yet so great

Every creator every rock just as important and more to explore

SHINING WORLD

Quite and sleepy

Sightly weeping

Lonely but not alone

Shining bright and loud

Even though the make no sound

Rock and firer glowing big and proud

Shining stars still there to this day

Florence 7Y

Space Poem By Josh 7Y

The moon is a white shiny companion to the earth

Planets like sisters and brothers

A silent black ocean with galaxy’s

Galaxy’s Colide

Planets spin like ballerinas

The stars are diamonds on a black skyline

The secrets

The unknown

The planets whisper secrets to each other.

Josh – Year 7Y

THERAPY TEAM - Nurturing Activities - Woodstock Visit

The second trip for our Nurturing group was a short bus journey to Woodstock, where everyone enjoyed a fun and fact-filled day out.

The visit began at The Oxfordshire Museum, a fascinating treasure trove of local history. Students explored several exhibitions, including The Romans, The Changing Countryside, Victorian Oxfordshire, and Woodstock, to name just a few.

As they made their way around the museum, students also took part in a picture treasure hunt, which encouraged them to pay close attention to the exhibits to spot specific items. This engaging activity made learning about local history both interactive and enjoyable.

After a well-earned stop for refreshments in the café, the students continued their day with a visit to the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum. There, they discovered the stories of local men and women who served in various conflicts throughout history.

The exhibitions offered a fascinating insight into military life, from the First and Second World Wars to more recent operations. Students had the chance to explore interactive displays, handle replica artifacts, and learn about the personal experiences of those who lived through wartime.

The visit sparked thoughtful discussions and gave students a deeper appreciation of the courage and resilience shown by service members from Oxfordshire and beyond.

The trip provided a fantastic opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of Oxfordshire’s rich heritage while developing observation skills, teamwork, and curiosity about the past. Everyone returned to school full of enthusiasm and new knowledge to share.

Healthy Eating Workshop

This week, pupils from years 8 & 9 took part in an exciting and interactive school nutrition talk all about making healthy food choices. The session focused on the importance of balanced meals and snacks that fuel both the body and mind.

Students listened to our guest speaker, nutritionist Gary, while sampling a range of nutritious snacks, including hummus with crudités, yogurt topped with seeds, and flapjacks.

Afterward, it was their turn to get hands-on by preparing their own healthy snack protein balls! Wearing their fetching blue gloves, pupils really enjoyed the activity, and many were brave enough to taste their homemade treats.

By the end of the session, students had learned valuable new skills for making healthy snacks at home, along with a better understanding of balanced eating and the importance of staying hydrated throughout the day.

Laura

click on the photo stack to view more

MANY THANKS

A heartfelt thank you to all the parents who have kindly offered to visit the school and share their career stories and journeys with our students. These sessions offer a valuable opportunity

for our students to gain insight into a diverse range of professions, helping them broaden their aspirations and better understand the various pathways available to them.

I am currently arranging dates and sending out invitations. If I haven’t contacted you yet, please bear with me I will be in touch soon.

Thank you once again for your enthusiasm and continued support in enriching our students’ learning experiences.

Gayle Fox

Student Showcase: Jacob and Zaki

We’ve had some fantastic photos sent in by Lisa Bourton, mum of Jacob in Year 9, capturing the wonderful process Jacob followed to create a delicious chicken panini from scratch.

Jacob demonstrated an impressive range of culinary skills that he has developed over the past two years in his cooking lessons with Debbie. From preparing and seasoning the chicken to assembling the panini and cooking it to perfection, Jacob showed great confidence and creativity in the kitchen.

It’s always inspiring to see our students applying what they’ve learned in class to real-life situations at home. Well done, Jacob your panini looks absolutely delicious, and we’re so proud of your progress and enthusiasm for cooking!

Zaki’s Pizza-Making Success!

A few weekends ago, Zaki invited his friends Oskar, Jacob, and Belle over for a fun afternoon of pizza making. Zaki took the lead in preparing the pizzas himself from rolling out the dough to choosing and adding the toppings. His friends joined in to help and, together, they created some delicious results to enjoy.

Zaki was very proud of his efforts and wanted to share some photos from the day.

It has been wonderful to see Zaki’s growing confidence and independence around food this term. He has shown great enthusiasm for preparing and trying new dishes, and his progress has been lovely to see.

Debbie

Throughout October, students at LVS have come together to mark Black History Month. During tutor time, they have had the opportunity to learn about, honour, and celebrate the rich history and remarkable achievements of Black people in Britain and around the world.

This year’s theme, “Standing Strong in Power and Pride,” has inspired thoughtful class discussions and meaningful reflections. Age-appropriate resources have been shared, encouraging students to engage with important ideas around identity, equality, and empowerment.

We are extremely proud of our students’ enthusiasm and participation in this important annual event. Black History Month is not only a time to look back and recognise past struggles and successes it is also a time to look forward, building a more inclusive future based on understanding, respect, and the courage to stand up for what is right.

Laura

Click here to see the articles students watched from BBC Bitesize

GREEN CAREERS WEEK 3RD-8TH NOVEMEBR 2025

Green Careers Week 2025 will take place from Monday 3rd to Saturday 8th November 2025.

This national event is designed to help young people, teachers, and parents explore the exciting and growing world of careers in sustainability, green technology, and the environment. Throughout the week, a range of resources, events, and activities will be available to inspire students to think about how their future careers can help protect our planet.

During tutor periods, students will have the opportunity to explore a variety of Green Careers and watch BBC Bitesize videos highlighting pathways into different environmentally focused roles.

Let’s use this week to learn more about how we can make a positive difference through our future career choices!

Students will have the opportunity to discover what Green Career they could do by completing the online BBC Bitesize Quiz

Find out what Green Career you could do. CLICK HERE

During the last week of term, we were delighted to welcome the Scholastic Book Fair into school. Students had the opportunity to browse and purchase from a fantastic range of books, discovering new stories and favourite authors.

Thanks to everyone’s support, the school raised over £350! This means we’ll receive Scholastic Rewards, which can be exchanged for new books to help expand and refresh our school library.

A huge thank you to all the students, parents, and staff who helped make the Book Fair such a success!

Students were recently challenged to write their own poems about Halloween and the response was spooktacular! A huge thank-you to everyone who took part; the creativity and imagination on display were truly impressive.

Mel faced the tough task of choosing just one winner, and this year the prize goes to Jess in 8Y! However, every student who entered was recognised with a prize for their fantastic efforts. Below, you can read Jess’s wonderful poem, along with a small selection of other outstanding submissions from our talented writers.

Well done to everyone who contributed!

Last Day of Term - Halloween/Fancy Dress Competition

The

Winners - Millie Year 10 and Abigail Year 7

Parent Careers Talk - Jo Novell, Nanny & Intensive Care Children's Nurse

On Friday, 24th October, we welcomed Samuel’s mum, Jo, into school. Jo had very kindly offered to talk to the students about her fascinating career journey, beginning with her training as a Norland Nanny and later her work as an intensive care children’s nurse. She explained the specialist skills and dedication required in both roles, highlighting how her early experiences caring for young children and supporting families prepared her for the emotional and practical challenges of working in a hospital environment.

The students were particularly interested in hearing about the daily responsibilities of both professions, and they asked thoughtful questions about what inspired her to choose these paths and what qualities are most important when working with children and families in times of joy as well as in times of difficulty. Jo’s visit provided the children with a valuable insight into the world of childcare and pediatric healthcare, and we are very grateful to her for giving up her time to share her knowledge and experience with us.